Private 5G networks are transforming enterprise connectivity, offering better security, scalability, and control. However, setting up these networks has traditionally been complex, costly, and difficult to scale.

Enterprises often struggle with three major challenges:

1. High Upfront Costs: Private 5G requires investment in infrastructure, planning, and deployment.
2. Complex Deployment Cycles: Coordinating multiple components, ensuring proper radio placement, and optimizing performance can be time-consuming.
3. Scaling for Enterprise Needs: Many private 5G solutions are designed for large-scale service providers, but most businesses need a right-sized, cost-efficient alternative.

To truly unlock the benefits of private 5G, enterprises need solutions that streamline deployment, minimize costs, and simplify management. Fortunately, new tools and approaches are emerging to address these challenges.

Faster and Smarter Private 5G Deployment

One of the biggest advancements in private 5G is the shift toward plug-and-play solutions that eliminate much of the complexity. Instead of lengthy and expensive rollouts, businesses can now deploy private 5G with just a small cell radio, SIM cards, and a cloud-based management platform.

For example, some solutions, like ATAYA’s Chorus, allow enterprises to set up a fully operational private 5G network in just minutes. The system automatically configures itself and enables remote management, making it easier for businesses to adopt private 5G without needing a dedicated telecom team.

However, while deployment is becoming easier, one critical missing piece has been radio frequency (RF) planning—knowing how many radios are needed, where to place them, and how private 5G compares to Wi-Fi in terms of coverage and cost.

The Importance of RF Planning in Private 5G

Efficient private 5G deployment isn’t just about the hardware—it’s about placing the radios in the right locations to ensure optimal coverage and performance. Traditionally, RF planning tools have been expensive and complex, limiting accessibility for enterprises that need a simpler way to design their networks.

Modern web-based planning tools are filling this gap. Solutions like iBwave Express allow users to import floor plans, model different deployment scenarios, and generate automated designs—all within minutes. This type of tool simplifies RF planning, ensuring that businesses can confidently move forward with their private 5G deployment without unnecessary guesswork.

Wi-Fi vs. Private 5G: A Cost and Coverage Comparison

For many enterprises, the decision to invest in private 5G comes down to a comparison with Wi-Fi. While Wi-Fi is familiar and widely used, private 5G offers better reliability, security, and scalability—especially in large or high-density environments.

With RF planning tools, enterprises can directly compare private 5G and Wi-Fi, evaluating:

• Coverage Requirements: Private 5G typically requires fewer radios than Wi-Fi for the same coverage. In some real-world comparisons, a single floor might need just 8 private 5G small cells vs. 42 Wi-Fi access points.
• Cost Efficiency: Fewer radios mean lower hardware and maintenance costs, as well as simplified network design.
• Performance & Security: Unlike Wi-Fi, private 5G offers dedicated bandwidth, better security, and more predictable performance.

These comparisons provide enterprises with data-driven insights to determine the most cost-effective and scalable approach to their wireless infrastructure.

The Future of Private 5G: Simplicity, Speed, and Cost Savings

As private 5G adoption grows, the industry is shifting toward smarter, faster, and more cost-effective deployment models. Plug-and-play networking solutions, combined with automated RF planning tools, are making it easier than ever for businesses to deploy private 5G without the high costs or complexity of traditional models.

By leveraging tools like iBwave Express for RF planning and Chorus for simplified deployment, enterprises can streamline the entire private 5G process—from design to installation to optimization. These innovations are helping businesses overcome traditional barriers, making private 5G a more accessible and scalable solution.

Learn how iBwave and ATAYA are partnering to make this a reality:

As your organization considers private 5G, what are your biggest challenges? Are you weighing it against Wi-Fi, or looking for ways to deploy it faster?

Setup a free trial of iBwave Express to explore how simple 5G can be.

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Jalal Berrahou

Market Development Director at iBwave Solutions

Jalal Berrahou has over 18 years of experience in the wireless telecommunications industry. He joined iBwave in 2010 and held multiple managerial and leadership positions in EMEA and APAC in sales engineering and market development. He is currently focused on identifying market trends and opportunities that enable iBwave to bring innovation and next generation technology offering to its customers.

Prior to joining iBwave, Jalal worked as a consultant for carriers in the US. His responsibilities included designing and deploying In-Building Wireless Solutions, RF planning and network deployment.

Jalal holds a Bachelor's and a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Latest posts by Jalal Berrahou (see all)

• Making Private 5G Deployments Faster, Simpler, and More Cost-Effective - February 18, 2025